Howard A. Lewis
Howard A. Lewis
HOWARD ALEXANDER LEWIS was born in Camden, New Jersey on April 26, 1912 to Alexander Lewis and his wife, the former Margaret Reid. When the Census was taken in January of 1920 the Lewis family was residing at 449 Mechanic Street. Besides Howard and his parents, the family then included older sisters Edith and Dorothy and grandfather John Reid. Another brother, Roland, was born soon after the Census was enumerated. Alexander Lewis was then working as a custodian at one of Camden’s public schools. Earl Cunningham and family lived next door, he would go on to a career with the Camden Police Department. A Camden city fire fighter, Richard Marter, lived a few doors away at 461 Mechanic Street, and after the Marter family left another Camden fireman, George C. Wade, moved in. Howard Lewis would in time become a Camden fireman himself.
The Lewis family was still at 449 Mechanic Street in April of 1930 when the Census was again taken. Alexander Lewis was also still working as a custodian at one of Camden’s public schools.
Howard A. Lewis was married when he was inducted into the United States Army in June of 1941. He reached the rank of Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. After the war, Howard Lewis returned to Camden. He was living at 449 Mechanic Street as late as 1947.
Howard Lewis was appointed to the fire department on June 30, 1949 and reported for duty at Engine Company 3, 1815 Broadway, the next day. He was assigned to the post of District Chief’s Aide on January 1, 1951 and for the most part served in that capacity for the rest of his career with the Camden Fire Department, in the 1st and 3rd Districts.
On August 25, 1962 Howard A. Lewis passed away. He was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey on August 29, 1962.
7 Children Saved in Blaze; City Fireman Overcome
Camden Courier-Post —
ONE OF SEVEN CHILDREN RESCUED from a burning house at 444 S. 5th st., Friday, is shown being carried to safety in the arms of a fireman. Three of the children and a fireman were overcome by smoke. Two civilians rescued four of the children before firemen arrived.
Pine st. company and 5th and Arch sts. station arrived and removed the other three children on a ladder placed at the front of the house.
Cook was overcome by smoke after he had searched the house to make certain no one remained. He collapsed at the front door.
According to Winfield Leviseur, district fire chief, a crowd of 400 spectators attracted to the scene, cheered as firemen and neighbors carried the children from the house.
Cemini told reporters he recently passed fireman and police civil service examinations, placing, he reported, first on the fireman list, and fifth on the police.
Firemen reported the fire was caused by an oil stove in the kitchen of the home. Damage was confined to furniture, walls, ceiling and floor.
Six Firemen Cited Here for Heroism
Camden Courier-Post —
Six Camden firemen have been cited for outstanding service by the Fire Department Merit Board for rescuing three Puerto Rican children from a blazing second floor apartment at 444 N. 5th st. last Dec. 26.
Receiving special mention, according to Fire Chief Pfefferle, were District Chief Winfield LeViseur, Capt. Thomas Winstanley, Acting Capt. Eugene Alston, Firemen Frank Deal, Charles Davis and Howard Lewis.
The Merit Board, composed of chiefs in the Camden Fire Department, also pointed out the heroic work of Michael Cimini, a bartender, of 925 N. 22nd st., who rescued four other children before arrival of firemen.
Photos
Engine Company 3 and the 3rd Battalion in quarters, Broadway & Ferry Avenue, South Camden. 1956. Left to right, standing: Chief Edgar Ellender, Fireman George Wade, Fireman Howard Lewis, Captain Edward Michalak; Kneeling: Fireman George Torgun, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Henry Keubler.
Director of Public Safety Edward Garrity presents Chief of Department Edward MacDowell with a municipal proclamation. Witnessing, from left: Fireman George Wade, Fireman Harrison MacNeir, Fireman John Gaffney Sr., Fireman James Troutman, Fireman Ernest Tartaglia, Captain Allen Hess, Fireman John Yates, District Chief Harry Wagner (obscured), District Chief Edward Michalak, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Howard Lewis, Fireman Henry Keubler.
In the staff office at Fire Headquarters (kneeling from left) Fireman Ernest Tartaglia, Fireman Howard Lewis, Fireman Harrison MacNeir; (standing from left) Captain Allen Hess, Fireman Dominic Dalanni, Fireman Henry Keubler, Chief Harry Wagner, Fireman James Troutman, Chief Edward Michalak, Fireman James Smith, Chief Edward MacDowell, Fireman John Yates, and Fireman George Wade. — 1961
Howard A. Lewis — fire department record card